The Human Scent

 

Actually KC there were quite a few studies a few years ago linking antipersperants to breast cancer and so many woment that did where them stopped.  the thing is many Europeans were in the habit of just wearing plain dedoderant anyways.  Not sure why, but that was and still is the norm for many.  As you know that just covers the smell, but does nothing for the sweat that soaks into the clothing thus creating the "scent".  My DH tended to not use as much antipersperant but then again it was not 80 F there usually so the deoderant worked fine.

I have smelled some pretty ripe people in my day, but thankfully most people in Spain were obsessed with showering several times a day to combat the lack of AC and the heat.  

There is a certain "scent" thought that I associate with Spain and Spanish men.  Particularly the older ones.  It is a combo of human smells, cigarettes, coffee, garlic and olive oil.  I can't describe it and I won't say it's bad or good.  It's just that I got used to it and when I smell it I think I am in Spain.  Just like certain trees and bushes remind me of places.  I think the sense of smell is one of the most ignored.  I used my for memories and also it is very useful in finding the right balance of spices in foods.  

Well, at risk of starting the whole bathing issue again, I'll admit that my husband doesn't use deoderant.  He doesn't smell though.  I mean he doesn't smell bad.  At least I've never noticed.  

Americans are definitely overly obsessed with smelling 'good'. I do worry quite a bit about the effects of antiperspirants but have yet got the nerve to switch to plain deodorants. I actually don't like it when men wear lots of smelly stuff. The DF wears antiperspirant and occassionally, for special nights out, cologne. Frankly on hot summer days, I don't think any public places/people smell that good!  

Worse possible human scent?  Men who have not cleaned their clothes in days and work in an palce that fries food.... Indian, Mexican food are bad but any fried food.  So you get BO, grease and sweaty clothes combined.  EW.

I lean to natural scent...only because I get really bad headaches with most perfumes. I find it tough being anywhere public on "date night". But, even for my extremely sensitive smell ability, I don't notice natural BO as much over here. And, with my husband, his natural smells actually, um, are rather appealing to me.

rather appealing to me

I seem to remember that one of the old eastern erotic manuals (was it Nefzaoui's The Perfumed Garden or Vatasayana's Kama Sutra??) recommending lovers to "perfume themselves, but only with water"!

I dont use anti-perspirant... i use a deodorant (i think the label actually says anti-odourant?) called TRUST, which i order from the Garden Pharmacy.  It's a herbal, aluminium-free deodorant, which has no perfume or scent at all.

I have to reapply it every 5 days, but i know people who only have to use it every 10 - 12 days!  It really does work (if you follow the instructions) and because you dont use it every day, it lasts ages.  You will still perspire, but your sweat doesnt stink.

http://www.garden.co.uk/acatalog/THE_GARDEN_PHARMACY__SPECIALISED_DEODORANTS_27.html#a0103853


***update***  Lush have recently brought out a deodorant (NOT an anti-perspirant) called Aromacreme... they've done deodorant for  years, but they were in these powdery bars that feel kind of rough if they dry out a bit, and also gave me a slight rash.
But now they've brought out this cream, which smells GORGEOUS, which you smooth on with your fingers.  I've been using it for a week now, and havent developed a rash yet... the scent seems to last about 2 days, and people keep telling me that i smell good.

I think i will keep using the Trust stuff i mentioned above for the most part, but this Lush Aromacreme is verrrry nice, and i will definitely use it for special occasions.

i don't know what i'd do if i didn't put deodorant on every day.....it's part of my daily routine.  Next i'd forget to brush my mane!  

I think my fiancee wears Axe.  That mixed with his man smell is veeeeeeryyyyy nice.  

I dont use anti-perspirant... i use a deodorant (i think the label actually says anti-odourant?) called TRUST, which i order from the Garden Pharmacy.  It's a herbal, aluminium-free deodorant, which has no perfume or scent at all.

http://www.garden.co.uk/acatalog/THE_GARDEN_PHARMACY__SPECIALISED_DEODORANTS_27.html#a0103853

Yes, it's excellent. I found about 7 days works for me.

Anyone who is interested in using deodorant instead of anti-perspirant,  .. i've updated my previous post above to include info about the new Lush deodorant.   

Anyone who is interested in using deodorant instead of anti-perspirant,  .. i've updated my previous post above to include info about the new Lush deodorant.   

Ooo!  Thanks for the update!  I've been thinking about trying out one of Lush's deoderants!  Now I'll know which one to try! 

I have the new lush deodorant.  I love it, smells fab!  It takes a bit to get used too at first, especially if you you are used to wearing an ani-perspirant like I am.  Also, you have to use a very small amount (Honest) or it burns.  It lasts forever though and does not cost an arm and a leg!  OK, my 2p is over now.

Ahem ... a prespective from a Male EU native

Before movign to the US, I really didnt tought much about deodorants ,, you just make sure you keep clean, shower every day and dont think much about the rest.

On the ocasional social gathering or party, you put a little someting to smell nice.. but that was it.

I think we think, if we clean, and dont smell bad, it's enought.

I'm heavely armericanized now, and the tought of leaving the house in the morning widouth anti-prespirant AND cologne is just absurd :p

I guess all those ads for cologne do work

Im very lucky. My hubby always wears nice cologne and he's very good about getting things that I can tolerate because I too suffer from bad reactions to strong scents.

Over here I notice people's BO a lot more than in the USA for sure. I have to take the bus to work and back and I constantly have to sit around people who just PONG.

I have to admit that I find the scent of men of a certain culture (wont say which, so as not to unintentionally affend) particularly offensive to my nose. I feel rather bad about it most of the time because I dont think its fair - its not the person's fault, but it must just be a certain cultural genetic makeup. I cant help my nose and how my body reacts - the smell is like 100% REPELLENT. I suppose I ought not feel bad about it - I watched Body Language on BBC3 one day and they did a pheremone (sp) test. Apparently you just cant help but feel repelled by some people's natural scent because your body is telling you you shouldnt mate with that person because they dont compliment your own genetic makeup. Thats why our mates smell generally pretty good to us. Gotta love science.